The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the 2024 budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), approving a total of ₦124.2 billion to enhance police operations and infrastructure across the country.
The passage followed the presentation and adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs during plenary. The report was presented by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC-Oyo), who highlighted the key components of the budget and its intended impact.
Out of the approved amount, ₦1.2 billion is earmarked for personnel costs, while a significantly larger portion, ₦98.6 billion, will go to capital projects. The budget is expected to cover several key areas aimed at improving police effectiveness and welfare.
According to Senator Akintunde, the budget will fund the training of police officers, rehabilitation and construction of police stations, renovation of barracks, and upgrade of police clinics nationwide. It will also support the procurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles and other security-related interventions.
“The committee reviewed and considered all aspects of the proposal and is confident that the allocations will directly contribute to strengthening police capacity across Nigeria,” Akintunde told fellow lawmakers during the session.
The Police Trust Fund was established in 2019 through the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act. Its main goal is to provide financial support for the training, welfare, equipment, and infrastructure needs of the Nigeria Police Force, thereby improving its efficiency and professionalism.
Speaking after the passage of the budget, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the Police Affairs Committee to carry out strict oversight to ensure that all funds are spent properly and transparently.
“The expenditures that we might hear from the Police Trust Fund should enhance security all over the nation,” Akpabio said. “The committee should also ensure that they do proper oversight so that every kobo that is herein appropriated will be used for the benefit of the police and the nation in general.”
He stressed that improved policing remains critical to the fight against insecurity in the country and urged stakeholders to ensure that budgeted funds are not diverted or misused.
The Senate’s approval comes at a time when Nigeria is battling increasing levels of insecurity in various regions, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. Analysts and stakeholders have repeatedly called for better funding and training of the police force as part of broader security reforms.
The 2024 NPTF budget is expected to play a key role in improving the working conditions and operational capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force, especially as the nation seeks more community-based and responsive policing strategies.
